Unforgiveness

Bolt
I must break the world record in today’s match.

Coach
Bolt what’s the matter? You are slowing down.

Bolt
Don’t worry. I’m warming up. I’ll soon show the world who Bolt is.

Coach
Drop the loads, Bolt! Pick up your speed. You can’t make it to the world championship carrying these loads. 

Bolt
Wha…t is going on? My head feels heavy and my eyes are cloudy. My legs are shaky and slowly shutting down on me. 

Coach
All you have to do is drop the loads so you can meet up.

Bolt
They’re becoming heavier, coach. I can’t push forward anymore. Coach, please help me drop these loads so I can make it to the championship.

Coach
I wish I could, but unfortunately, I can’t drop them for you. Only you have the power to do so.  

Bolt
But…why? You’re my coach, right? You’re supposed to help me win. Besides, I’m not sure what these are and why they’re weighing me down. 

Coach
You’re weighed down with unforgiveness.

Bolt
Unforgiveness? How? I don’t hate anyone. I stay in my lane, and I always pray for my enemies. 

Coach
You claim you don’t hate anyone, but you have minimal to no contact with your family. 

(Bolt frowns)

Coach
Oh, that’s right! You were abused as a child which left a perpetual uncomfortable feeling, including fear and anxiety. 

(Bolt’s frowns deepen)

Coach
What about the hurt and pain you experienced because of your husband’s infidelity? Your husband had an affair with your sister, and it has become a repressed memory not to be visited. 

(Tears flow down Bolt’s face)

Coach
Look in the trash bag you mount on your back while you run your race. It contains extreme mood lability, anxiety, panic, paranoia, and manic feelings. This has led to a schizoaffective disorder diagnosis. No wonder you are unable to focus or hold a reasonable conversation as you jump from one topic to another. You’re on several medications to balance your mood and fix your insomnia.

(Bolt sobs quietly)

Coach
You’re constantly sad and tearful with evidence of depression. You run your race with a lack of insight into your situation. Just like all humankind, you’re desensitized to the presence of God due to the sin nature which has caused separation from God. Your name is Bolt, Lighting Bolt but you have lost your light hence, you’re running your race in the dark. Wake up and take back possession of your light.

Bolt
Coach, you are right, I have unforgiveness in my heart. I resented my parents and husband. I was hurt but now I realize that my unforgiveness has badly wounded me. Coach, what do I do to turn things around? 

Coach
First, you must address the disconnection from God brought on by the sin nature. The only way to bridge the disconnection is to connect with Christ. Christ brings true and genuine hope through the renewal of the spirit. You accept the renewal of your spirit by submitting to Christ. Allow Him to bear the burden of your sin and carry your yoke. As you submit yourself daily to His word, you’re given the will and strength to drop every load that weighs you down no matter how heavy. Read Matthew 5:23-25 several times until God illuminates the words in your heart. Therein is your freedom from unforgiveness.